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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | purpose driven? | NT general Archive 1 | DocTrinsograce | 142672 | ||
Hi, brother Tim... I'll throw my two cents in, if you don't mind. I've scanned the book at Wal-Mart. I guess I might have had some bias against it right there. Books on theology sold at Wal-Mart are generally the first indication that you aren't looking at something terribly deep. However, as I looked through it, I couldn't help but notice the emphasis on self. In scripture, we see great emphasis on God. Over and over those whose eyes are drawn to God change their behavior as a consequence, without respect for the results. Job and his visitation; Abraham and his calling; Moses and the burning bush; Isaiah with his experience in the temple; Daniel and his visions; Habakkuk and his theophany; the disciples and their calling; the woman at the well; Zacchaeus; Paul; many people through Acts; etc. etc. No one comes to God for what they will get out of it. In fact, if a man's attitude is like that, his search will be in vain. Instead, we fall on our knees before God because He is God, and when we see Him, we see ourselves more clearly. What else is there to do but fall upon our knees, hang our head and cry, "Have mercy, Lord?" Trying to give someone a set of rules in order to find fulfillment just doesn't work. The reason it doesn't work is because you can't harness the flesh as an engine to bring someone to a more spiritual life -- at least, spiritual in the sense that the scripture means it. Note how in Ephesians that Paul brings us face to face with a Holy God. After three chapters where he can barely contain himself through the experience ONLY THEN does he begin to talk about the practical actions that grow OUT of this knowledge of God. He does the same in Romans and other epistles. I used to breeze over the theology stuff so I could get down to brass tacks. I'd say, "Okay... Okay... but what am I supposed to DO." This misses the boat. The focus on me and on my doing just blows it all out of the water. I know there is popular theology out there, but the truth always offends the masses. The very fact that a philosophy or teaching becomes popular means that it has found a way to coexist contentedly with the flesh and falleness of the many who are on the broad way. 2 Timothy 4:3 is the way to sell books and seminars. The stumblingblocks, foolishness, and light of 1 Corinthians 1:23 and John 3:19 will not often be sold in Wal-Mart I'm afraid. I apologize if I've gotten out of context here. I confess to not having read what everyone has posted on Mr. Warren and his writings. In Him, Doc |
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2 | purpose driven? | NT general Archive 1 | Pastor Glenn | 142675 | ||
Hello Doc, I would like to add my 2 cents also. "I've scanned the book at Wal-Mart. I guess I might have had some bias against it right there. Books on theology sold at Wal-Mart are generally the first indication that you aren't looking at something terribly deep." You are right that this book is not terribly deep, but the bible is deep in many areas. We have used this book for bible study at our church. There really is no great problem when it is taught as prescribed. The same problems that we see in this book also mostly apply to "poor" bible study. The book is meant as a an aid to one particular bible subject; God's purpose for our lives as individuals. The bible is the only book that is meant to be studied prayerfully with the aid of the Holy Spirit to teach us God's meaning and God's understanding. That is why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. When the “scriptures” that Rick Warren cites (and there are many) are studied correctly, I see very little problems with this book. We need to always keep the focus on the scriptures when studying any book. If we teach correctly as Phillip did by the leading of the Holy Spirit for the Ethiopian Eunuch, then we can all help disciple others for Christ. Your brother in Christ, Pastor Glenn |
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3 | purpose driven? | NT general Archive 1 | DocTrinsograce | 142679 | ||
This is encouraging, Pastor. I meant no disrespect to anyone who has read this book or has used it. I was just expressing my general observations and impressions -- though flawed and humble they may be! In Him, Doc |
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4 | purpose driven? | NT general Archive 1 | Pastor Glenn | 142687 | ||
"This is encouraging, Pastor. I meant no disrespect to anyone who has read this book or has used it. I was just expressing my general observations and impressions -- though flawed and humble they may be!" Hello again Doc, I do not feel disrespected at all by your comments. As a matter of fact, my own dear mother also objected to us using this book or any other in bible study. She said, "These sixty-six books are all we need". She was right to a certain extent; we need to know how to teach the bible first and formost. So I made the same speech to her as I did to you in my last post. Let me tell you about my Mother Glenn. Well, my mother at 82 years young is forgetful and often forgets the names of her 9 children. So during bible study, every few minutes she would ask "What is this book? (The Purpose Driven Life)" or "What scripture are we studying?". So, I had to repeat my same speech about 5 times each week. However, even with her forgetfulness, she does not forget the scriptures and can more than hold her own in any bible study lesson. Whenever I should point out to her that the Lord has really blessed her memory when it comes to bible knowledge and understanding, she will then name all the books one by one and end with "... sixty-six books, thats all we need". So, she is right and you are right. If we don't know how to teach the bible "first", then no other books are going to help. Your brother in Christ, Pastor Glenn |
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5 | purpose driven? | NT general Archive 1 | DocTrinsograce | 142694 | ||
Sounds like a Proverbs 31:28 mom if I ever heard of one! The old divines had something to say along these lines, though perhaps not directly. "We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts." I pray that your flock is observing Hebrews 13:17, sir. God bless your ministry -- and your mom! In Him, Doc |
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